Environmental specialists and firefighters remain on the scene where a fire erupted at a west Birmingham home today.

Two 55 gallon containers of gasoline were being stored in the garage where authorities say the fire started. One of them exploded and rocketed through the garage roof after firefighters had arrived, said Birmingham Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis.

"The firefighters told me it was something to see," Mardis said. "Count us all lucky because in a situation like this where an explosion happens, people normally get injured."

Firefighters were called to the home in the 1000 block of Lafayette Street about 11:15 a.m. The fire started in the garage and spread to the adjoined home, causing about 30 percent fire damage and 100 percent smoke damage to the house. The garage was destroyed.

One person was in the garage and another in the home when the fire started, but both escaped without injuries.

Authorities put down barriers to keep the gasoline from spilling into nearby ravines, Mardis said. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Emergency Management Agency were on the scene.

The fire appears to be accidental, Mardis said. ADEM officials will make the determination on possible storage violations.